By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rich Paufler wanted to see his team play with a lead.
The World of Inquiry coach got his wish Thursday afternoon.
Pah Gay scored midway through the first half to give the Griffins a lead they did not surrender, and Franklin Safari connected on the eventual game winner six minutes later as No. 5 World of Inquiry defeated No. 4 East, 3-2 in Class AAA Boys’ Soccer action.
“We’ve been trying to get out to a fast start all season long,” Paufler said. “For whatever it hasn’t happened until today. It’s good to see it come together for a sectional victory.”
VIEW MORE PHOTOS FROM RON ANDREWS.
20’ Pah Gay goes near post to give World of Inquiry a 2-1 lead. @SecVBoysSoccer Class AAA pic.twitter.com/zawH6obMLO
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 19, 2023
Gay rifled a right-footed blast inside the near post to snap a one-all tie in the 20th minute. Safari gathered the second ball on a corner kick opportunity along the left flank and finished far-side netting for a 3-1 lead with 14:19 remaining in the first half.
“We got some good pressure early, and we were able to move the ball,” Paufler said.
For Gay it was the junior midfielder’s team-leading eighth goal of the season. Safari scored his fourth.
25’ Franklin Safari takes advantage of a second ball off a corner kick… and a back flip. Class AA Boys: World of Inquiry 3 East 1 pic.twitter.com/9NusDMOf4Q
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 19, 2023
“Some of our guys played their best games of the season today,” Paufler said. “We’ve been through a lot to get to this point. It was good to see it work out today.”
The match was the fourth meeting of the season between the RCAC foes. East took the first two meetings by scores of 2-1 and 1-0. WOI downed East, 2-1 on October 11th.
“We know each other so well. It’s always a good battle.”
Ninth-grader Bereket Tremblay made five saves for the win.
One of two key saves late in the game from Bereket Tremblay to help World of Inquiry preserve a 3-2 win. Griffins will play Fairport in the AAA semifinals pic.twitter.com/fQ7yy6MChB
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 19, 2023
Georges Naoum scored the first WOI goal.
World of Inquiry (4-13-0) will face top-seeded Fairport in the semifinals.
“We’ve been through a lot to get to this point. Now we get a chance to play Fairport. This will be a challenge.”
36’ Sulayman Aden gets one back for @EastEpo pic.twitter.com/lwIzUm5cWb
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) October 19, 2023
Weslyn Ramirez and Sulayman Aden scored for East (5-9-0).
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